Worldwide, approximately 1.8 billion chicks are hatched every month in commercial hatcheries. A typical commercial hatchery is a high-speed and stressful environment. Not only is chick welfare impacted while at the hatchery, but chickens’ early life experiences can also have long-lasting impacts on their welfare after they are moved from the hatcheries. Additionally, the capacity to suffer in chick embryos (i.e., to experience pain, distress, or other prolonged negative welfare) may commence approximately three days before hatching by embryonic day 18—and likely earlier. Based on this knowledge, this case study sought to assess the prevalence of welfare problems in an exemplar US hatchery.
Mace J. L. Knight A. Chick welfare in a large, commercial chicken hatchery: A case study. Open Veterinary Journal, 16(4): 2392-2407 doi: 10.5455/OVJ.2026.v16.i4.41